A method of charging a battery and a battery charging system, which has a relatively high charging speed while having a relatively low level of battery deterioration. The charging method includes charging a battery cell with a first current in a first constant current mode; charging the battery cell with a first voltage in a first constant voltage mode; idling the charging of the battery cell for a first idle period (t); charging the battery cell with a second current different from the first current in a second constant current mode; and charging the battery cell with a second voltage different from the first voltage in a second constant voltage mode.
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1. A method of charging a battery, the method comprising: charging a battery cell with a first constant current in a first constant current mode; charging the battery cell with a first constant voltage in a first constant voltage mode; idling the charging of the battery cell for an idle period (t) after the charging the battery cell in the first constant voltage mode; charging the battery cell with a second constant current different from the first constant current in a second constant current mode after the idling the charging of the battery cell; and charging the battery cell with a second constant voltage that is higher than the first constant voltage in a second constant voltage mode.
A method for charging a battery involves multiple stages to optimize charging speed and minimize battery damage. First, the battery cell is charged with a first constant current. Then, the battery cell is charged with a first constant voltage. The charging process is then paused, and the battery cell idles for a period (t). After this idle period, the battery cell is charged again with a second constant current, where the second current value is different than the first current. Finally, the battery cell is charged with a second constant voltage, where this second voltage is higher than the first constant voltage.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the idle period (t) is in a range of about 1 ms to about 10 s.
In the battery charging method described previously, the idle period (t) after the first constant voltage charging is a short duration, specifically within the range of about 1 millisecond to about 10 seconds. This idle period allows the battery to stabilize before continuing the charging process with different current and voltage levels.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the idle period (t) is about 1 to about 10 times a voltage stabilizing time (τ) of the battery cell.
In the battery charging method described previously, the idle period (t) after the first constant voltage charging is related to the battery cell's voltage stabilization time. The idle period (t) is set to be approximately 1 to 10 times the voltage stabilizing time (τ) of the specific battery cell being charged. This ensures sufficient stabilization before proceeding to the next charging stage.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating a charge capacity of the battery cell, wherein the idle period (t) is proportional to the charge capacity of the battery cell.
In the battery charging method described previously, the method includes calculating the charge capacity of the battery cell. The duration of the idle period (t) is then adjusted proportionally to the calculated charge capacity. Higher charge capacity values will result in longer idle periods.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing a temperature of the battery cell, wherein the idle period (t) is inversely proportional to the temperature of the battery cell.
In the battery charging method described previously, the method includes sensing the temperature of the battery cell. The duration of the idle period (t) is then adjusted inversely proportionally to the sensed temperature. Higher temperatures will result in shorter idle periods.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether or not a voltage of the battery cell reaches a first reference voltage by sensing the voltage of the battery cell while charging the battery cell with the first constant current in the first constant current mode; and determining whether or not a current of the battery cell reaches a first reference current by sensing a charge current of the battery cell while charging the battery cell with the first constant voltage in the first constant voltage mode.
In the battery charging method described previously, the system monitors the battery's voltage and current. While charging with the first constant current, the system determines if the battery cell's voltage reaches a predefined first reference voltage. Also, while charging with the first constant voltage, the system determines if the charging current reaches a predefined first reference current. These checks help determine the transition point to the idle period.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein when the charge current of the battery cell reaches the first reference current, the idling is performed.
In the battery charging method where voltage and current are monitored, as described previously, the idle period is initiated specifically when the charging current of the battery cell reaches the predefined first reference current during the first constant voltage charging stage. This indicates a specific charge state that triggers the idle period.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: determining whether or not a voltage of the battery cell reaches a second reference voltage by sensing the voltage of the battery cell while charging the battery cell with the second constant current in the second constant current mode; and determining whether or not a charge current of the battery cell reaches a second reference current by sensing the charge current of the battery cell while charging the battery cell with the second constant voltage in the second constant voltage mode.
In the battery charging method where voltage and current are monitored, as described previously, the system also monitors voltage and current during the second charging stages. While charging with the second constant current, the system determines if the battery cell's voltage reaches a predefined second reference voltage. Also, while charging with the second constant voltage, the system determines if the charging current reaches a predefined second reference current.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second reference voltage is greater than the first reference voltage.
In the battery charging method where voltage and current are monitored, as described previously, the second reference voltage used during the second constant current charging stage is set to a higher value than the first reference voltage used during the first constant current charging stage. This reflects the increasing voltage target as the battery charges.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second reference current is smaller than the first reference current.
In the battery charging method where voltage and current are monitored, as described previously, the second reference current used during the second constant voltage charging stage is set to a smaller value than the first reference current used during the first constant voltage charging stage. This reflects the decreasing current acceptance as the battery approaches full charge.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first constant voltage mode is immediately after the first constant current mode, wherein the idle period is immediately after the first constant voltage mode, wherein the second constant current mode is immediately after the idle period, and wherein the second constant voltage mode is immediately after the second constant current mode.
In the battery charging method described previously, the different charging stages occur sequentially and immediately after each other. The first constant voltage mode begins directly after the first constant current mode completes. The idle period occurs immediately after the first constant voltage mode. The second constant current mode starts immediately after the idle period. Finally, the second constant voltage mode begins immediately after the second constant current mode completes.
13. A battery charging system comprising: a battery pack comprising a battery cell, a voltage sensor configured to sense a voltage of the battery cell, and a current sensor configured to sense a charge current for charging the battery cell; and a charging unit configured to charge the battery cell with a first constant current in a first constant current mode, charging the battery cell with a first constant voltage in a first constant voltage mode, idling the charging of the battery cell for an idle period (t) after the charging the battery cell in the first constant voltage mode, charging the battery cell with a second constant current different from the first constant current in a second constant current mode, and charging the battery cell with a second constant voltage that is higher than the first constant voltage in a second constant voltage mode after the idling the charging of the battery cell.
A battery charging system includes a battery pack, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a charging unit. The battery pack contains a battery cell. The voltage sensor measures the battery cell's voltage, and the current sensor measures the charging current. The charging unit controls the charging process: it charges the battery cell with a first constant current, then a first constant voltage. It then idles the charging for a period (t). After the idle period, it charges with a second constant current (different from the first), and finally with a second constant voltage (higher than the first).
14. The battery charging system of claim 13 , wherein the idle period (t) is in a range of about 1 ms to about 10 s.
The battery charging system described previously uses an idle period (t) after the first constant voltage charging, and this idle period is in the range of about 1 millisecond to about 10 seconds. This short pause allows the battery to stabilize before the charging process continues with adjusted current and voltage levels.
15. The battery charging system of claim 13 , wherein the idle period (t) is about 1 to about 10 times a voltage stabilizing time (τ) of the battery cell.
The battery charging system described previously uses an idle period (t) that is related to the battery cell's characteristics. Specifically, the idle period (t) is set to be about 1 to 10 times the voltage stabilizing time (τ) of the battery cell. This ensures proper voltage stabilization before proceeding to the next charging phase.
17. The battery charging system of claim 13 , further comprising a calculation unit configured to calculate a charge capacity of the battery cell, wherein the idle period (t) of the charging unit is controlled to be proportional to the charge capacity of the battery cell.
The battery charging system described previously also includes a calculation unit to determine the battery cell's charge capacity. The charging unit then uses this calculated charge capacity to control the duration of the idle period (t), making it proportional to the charge capacity.
18. The battery charging system of claim 13 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the battery cell, wherein the idle period (t) of the charging unit is controlled to be inversely proportional to the temperature of the battery cell.
The battery charging system described previously includes a temperature sensor to measure the battery cell's temperature. The charging unit uses this temperature reading to adjust the idle period (t), making it inversely proportional to the temperature.
19. The battery charging system of claim 13 , wherein the first constant voltage mode is immediately after the first constant current mode, wherein the idle period is immediately after the first constant voltage mode, wherein the second constant current mode is immediately after the idle period, and wherein the second constant voltage mode is immediately after the second constant current mode.
The battery charging system described previously executes the different charging stages in a specific sequence without any delays between them. The first constant voltage mode is immediately after the first constant current mode, the idle period is immediately after the first constant voltage mode, the second constant current mode is immediately after the idle period, and the second constant voltage mode is immediately after the second constant current mode.
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March 10, 2014
April 18, 2017
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